So, you find a lump, and the waiting begins. It doesn't matter that your whole being is screaming "get this thing OUT of me!" No, you now have to learn to live at a different pace. The medical pace. First a mammo, wait. Then a diagnostic mammo, wait. Second mammo recomends biopsy, but wait! Not yet! Let's do a sono first, and - you guessed it - wait. Finally, the big day arrives. I've just returned from my biopsy. Good thing nobody told me it would hurt. Well, I heard it would hurt, but I thought it wouldn't hurt me. It did. Now the torture of waiting until Monday for the results. bleh.
I really liked the doc and his nurse though, very nice.
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CAROLMARIE4… Joined: Feb 2009 Posts: 134 |
Oct 28, 2009 09:23 pm
CAROLMARIE427 wrote:
Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. Wow, that is a long time to wait. Maybe they will have the results before the weekend if you call? Try to keep busy and positive. Diagnosis: 7/31/2008, DCIS, 1cm, Stage 0, Grade 2, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2+ |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 28, 2009 10:51 pm
chele wrote:
Thanks CarolMarie. The doc said to give the pathologist 48 hours, but the samples won't be picked up until tomarrow, so.................. I've been waiting since I found this think Oct. 3rd. I guess a few more days won't kill me. I just HATE waiting! *LOL* We're converting to a new computer system this week at work. While I'll be good and busy enough to keep my mind off this stuff! |
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ktsy Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 26 |
Oct 28, 2009 11:34 pm
ktsy wrote:
I hated dancing the wait tango too. Wishing you the best results though! Dx age: 25. Tx: DD AC/T, Bilat Mx w/ TE
Diagnosis: 4/10/2009, IDC, Stage I, Grade 2, ER+/PR-, HER2- |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 28, 2009 11:46 pm
chele wrote:
Thanks ktsy! |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 42 |
Oct 28, 2009 11:49 pm
bugdm wrote:
The waiting is unbearable! It's certainly been a long month for you! I had my biopsy on the 16th and I just got my results today! They sent it out for a 2nd opinion because it was too close to call....I was even more nervous! It came back as a benign Intraductal Papilloma which is a great relief!....but it still has to come out. My BS wanted me to have a bilateral MRI to make sure there are no more on either side and to see exact location and size...but my insurance won't pay for it. They say it is "investigation/experimental" without a BC diagnosis...so now I wait for the next step... Wishing you a B9 biopsy as well and finally a restful weekend.....Hang in there and Good luck! You'll be in my prayers! |
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Lisa1962 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 50 |
Oct 29, 2009 12:19 am
Lisa1962 wrote:
Chele, So glad that you made it through your biopsy----I've been checking here for the past few hours to see if you'd post how you did---the best part is that it's over! Did they tell you to apply ice? That was one of the greatest things after my MRI guided breast biopsy---it really cut down on the bruising & swelling! Also, I found that wearing a sports bra was the greatest thing---I even wore it to bed for a few nights after my biopsy---the extra support felt really good! I'll be thinking of you and praying for B9 results----check in with us if you are waiting over the weekend so that we can support you and help you through your wait time! Sending good thoughts! bugdm, So glad that you got B9 results---hopefully the removal surgery won't be too bad! I'm so sorry that your insurance won't pay for the MRI---I know that mine questioned the necessity, but that is what the radiologists recommended for me. They are incredibly expensive! Good Luck with whatever surgery you will be having in the future! You'll be in my thoughts & prayer! Keep us posted! Lisa |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 29, 2009 08:53 am
chele wrote:
Thanks bugdm! I'm glad yours was benign! Thanks Lisa1962, I apprechiate the support! I had an ultrasound guided core biopsy. The doc was young (hopefully out of high school! *LOL*) and seemed very good at what he does. They gave me a cute little round ice pack that fits in my bra. I've got some bruising and swelling, but not too bad. Bad enough I can't feel my little lump anymore! I'm going to have to experiment with bras this morning. I'm not sure I want to be squashed or lifted; it's a bit sore but bra-less at work is not an option! |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Oct 29, 2009 08:46 pm
paigelise wrote:
Hi Chele! I am really learning patience throughout this and how to take things one piece at a time without letting my mind race ahead.....I am getting better at this but freak out every once in awhile. My results after waiting on a second biopsy were unfortunately not good but they think they caught mine early. I hope you have good results! Let us know! Wendy Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 29, 2009 11:05 pm
chele wrote:
You had to have a second biopsy paigelise??? Eee ghads. I don't know if I'd apprechiate that at all! Shoot, if they take 3 more samples from my lump there won't be anything left of it! Which wouldn't be a bad thing, but I'd just as soon they remove via surgery as that nasty little core biopsy dealie. I wish your results had been better. Now that you have your diagnosis, are things moving along quicker or are you still playing the waiting game? Although I guess it's still a little early to tell, your diagnosis wasn't that long ago. |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Oct 30, 2009 01:38 am
paigelise wrote:
Time is so distorted...it seems like it is going a little faster but I think I'm just learning how to handle it. My lumpectomy is on 11/6 and then they will know if it is in the lymph nodes and send it off for staging. I think i will feel much better having a stage and treatment plan. I realized real fast that worrying while I am waiting is not at all good for my body. That first week after my mammogram I had to take off work, my BP went up, I was a mess. I realized I had to try and change my thinking. I'm not totally fine but much better than the beginning. I'm glad you like your Dr. I really like my surgeon and am glad now that he ordered the 2nd biopsy via ultrasound guided. I guess my cancer was in the middle of the mass and the first biopsy had just skimmed the surface and missed it (he had just done it in the office). How is your bruising? My pain went away fast but I bruise easy so I'm still all different colors. I just don't look at it. Wendy Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 30, 2009 08:58 am
chele wrote:
My bruising is pretty impressive! Like yours the soreness has gone away quickly. I'm pretty good at not worrying too much. I'm just not very patient and would like to know instantly, but I don't actually stress over it. It's out of my hands; I can't affect the outcome of the biopsy results, all I can do is take care of me! I did go ahead and get a pneumo vaccince and work required me to get the H1N1 yesterday. I might at well get my immune system boosted. The pneumo vac made my shoulder pretty stiff, something to whine about besides my bruise! *LOL* |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Oct 30, 2009 11:10 am
paigelise wrote:
You really have a good attitude! That is what I am working on. I also am not patient. I got the regular flu shot and pneumo shot (my shoulder was stiff too!). I am getting over laryngitis so they told me to hold off on the swine flu shot. The laryngitis was terrible...I'm a big talker so the weekend after I was diagnosed I could only whisper and I was ready to explode! I actually started writing in a journal which I hope noone ever, ever sees because I am just writing down crazy, random thoughts. I can't even read my own writing in it LOL. I am also eating like crazy. I gained 5 pounds since all this started. I found the lump in September and saw my Dr...wasn't concerned because I know most lumps are normal. October 3rd was my mamm. and ultrasound and that was the beginning of this for me. I have been eating Big Macs and pizza and burgers....just terrible. I know I will have to change my lifestyle very soon. I am going to get my pre op physical today. They already did the lab and chest X ray so hopefully I won't be there long. I was worried about my chest X ray because I used to smoke but it thankfully was clear. Do you work weekends? I do but have this one off. I am going to relax and do some little things around the house. Keep up your great attitude! Wendy Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 30, 2009 02:02 pm
chele wrote:
Yuck! to the laryngitis! I'm coming down with a cold I think, or maybe just sinus. ugh. We're too busy at work for me to be sick. Nope, I don't work weekends. I lucked into a M-F job 9 years ago and I'm not about to let it go! I do insurance billing for our small hospital, which can be pretty aggrevating some days, but overall I really like it. I think a journal is a good idea. I've done the same in the past when I really needed to just let it all hang out but didn't really want to air my feelings to anyone. It's a good stress reliever I think. I've been on a diet for the past three months. We had a contest and each had to pay in $25 and lose 6% of our weight; the people who succeeded shared the entry fees. Seven of us won so I got about $90, not a bad profit! I still need to lose another 5, but I'm not even sweating it until I know what's going on. Life's too short to spend it dieting! |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Oct 31, 2009 12:15 am
paigelise wrote:
I lost 40 last year on weight watchers...gained back 20 this year. It's just a constant battle. Do you think you'll get your results Monday? Let us know! Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Oct 31, 2009 08:37 am
chele wrote:
Yup, dieting is a constant battle. I'd like to get my BMI down to 22 and keep it there but I lack the willpower to see it through. I'm supposed to get my results Monday. There was a slight chance I could have gotten them yesterday, but that didn't happen. You can bet I'll let everyone know! |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Nov 2, 2009 04:26 pm
chele wrote:
It's cancer. The final pathology report isn't in, should be tomarrow, then I'll see my doc Wednesday to talk about my treatment options. Please pray for my hubby, this is hardest on him. |
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lovetosail Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 33 |
Nov 2, 2009 04:50 pm
lovetosail wrote:
Hi Chele, I'm so sorry to hear of your dx. I just got mine ~2 weeks ago. The first days were the worst, before I saw the BS and mapped out a treatment plan. I'm more calm now. I'll be thinking of you & your husband and hoping that your treatment proceeds smoothly. Take care, Sue Diagnosis: 10/19/2009, IDC, Grade 3 |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Nov 2, 2009 06:23 pm
paigelise wrote:
Oh chele!!! I logged in to see your results....I am so sorry!!! My husband also looked like he was punched in the stomach...plus he is real quiet so I was worried about him...he has adjusted. Take care of yourself....let us know your path report....we are all here for you! Wendy Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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connette Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 32 |
Nov 2, 2009 06:56 pm
connette wrote:
Chele, I do not post very often, but noticed you are from Kansas. I'm from Ness City. I'm 57 years old and found out in March '09 that I had breast cancer. You have been/are in the hardest emotional time right now. Once you meet with your doctors and have a plan, it will give you something to focus on when fighting this beast. I was really naive when I first started and I'm still not 'educated' like some of the women on this site. They are amazing!!! It was hard on my husband, but he has been a 'rock' during all of the decisions and treatment. On Wednesday, I will go to Great Bend for my 'chemo cocktail'. What ever is in your future...you can fight. If I can, everyone can. If you have any questions or just want to talk PM me. Hugs, Connette |
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koshka1 Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 375 |
Nov 2, 2009 07:06 pm
koshka1 wrote:
Hey u! I noticed you just got the news. Big hugs to you. I was first diagnosed at 39 with my first ever mammo. I also had 4 different biopsies tell me 4 different things - but I am glad that the surgeon persisted and kept digging. I know that this is the hardest part but, once you talk to the doctor and get your action plan in place you will feel better. Now rememeber this: -Get copy of your biopsy report to find out size, grade, er pr and all that stuff... (always get copies of all your reports -Dont be afraid to ask questions about your options... -Take Someone with you....and a paper pen.,...write down ALL of your ?'s ahead of time. Some might even recommend a tape recorder. Then,,,just hang in there and know that we will be there for you and help you get through all of this. Hugs ...Kosh ps.....my husband took it hard but it turned out he was my Rock thru and thru. Diagnosis: 12/2007, IDC, <1cm, Stage Ia, Grade 1, 0/1 nodes, ER+/PR+, HER2- |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Nov 2, 2009 10:28 pm
chele wrote:
Thank you lovetosail. I'm very glad my surgeon is not going to waste any time between the final pathology report and seeing me! That would be torture! I'll be keeping you in my thoughts also. Thanks paigelise, I apprechiate the support. I guess I'm not really shocked. I think I knew all along. My hubby also looked like he'd been punched when I first told him I'd need a biopsy. I think that made it all too real for him. I couldn't see his face when I called him with the path report, but I know he was upset. Thanks connette; it's very nice of you to post for my benefit! I'm OK emotionally right now. Every once in a bit it occurs to me "I have cancer!!!" but the next thought is "time to get the laundry out of the dryer". I'm not sure if that's what everyone goes through, but for me, at least right now - I don't really have time to focus too much on cancer. I'll just have to kick it's butt and be done with it, I've got stuff to do! Thanks koshka1, very good advice! Hubby is going with me to see the surgeon Wednesday, and I just may have him run the recorder in case I go into shock and quit remembering everything! When I first found my lump I thought, "nah, can't be, I'm too young" then with a shock I realized, I'm 47! I'm "old enough" *sigh* Years ago I went through a divorce and not long after a country song came out that I really found strength in. The words are "This ain't no stumblin' block, it's just a steppin' stone". That pretty well sums up my opinion of this cancer crap. |
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Lisa1962 Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 50 |
Nov 2, 2009 11:03 pm
Lisa1962 wrote:
Chele, I came here tonight to find out about what you learned today. I am so sorry about your diagnosis---we are the same age---you sure look very young in your picture! You have a wonderful sense of humor that I have noticed whenever you respond to others---you are going to be just fine after you get a treatment plan. I bet that your husband will feel a lot better when he hears what the surgeon's plan of action is for this. I love country music, and I'm trying to figure out the artist that you are referring to---I can hear the song in my 47 year old mind, but the artist is not coming to me! I am going to be praying for you & your hubby on Weds. as you meet with the surgeon. Let us know how everything goes, and what the treatment plan will be. You've got a great group of experienced women here to help you through everything. Sending calming thoughts & wishes.....Lisa |
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Momcat1962 Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 111 |
Nov 2, 2009 11:07 pm
Momcat1962 wrote:
Chele...you will be in my prayers! I had my core biopsy today. They say results tomorrow. Stay here. This is a sweet bunch! |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Nov 2, 2009 11:21 pm
chele wrote:
Thanks Lisa! I owe my youthful looks to blurry photography! The artist is Lari White - "Stepping stones". I'm actually pretty calm. Exhausted would be the best description. I don't sleep well when I'm waiting for something. Usually it's something good - like Christmas - that keeps me awake. I think I'll sleep well tonight. I have the diagnosis, no more wondering. Thanks Momcat, I'll keep you in my prayers also! I'm impressed you'll get your results so fast! |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Nov 3, 2009 09:00 am
paigelise wrote:
I knew about my results too. When the nurse called me I thanked her for telling me on the phone because I already knew and she said she hears that from most women. Looking back for the past 6 months or so I have been really tired, hot flashes, moody. I thought I was going into early menopause (I'm 40) but I think it was all related to this. My sleeping is terrible...I wake up with a pit in my stomach like something bad is going to happen. Then I remember it already did. I'm like you too where I will function semi-normally and then I get that "I HAVE CANCER" thought. We will get thru this! Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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lovetosail Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 33 |
Nov 3, 2009 04:04 pm
lovetosail wrote:
Paigelise I know just want you mean about the pit in the stomach when you wake up! And throughout the day, at work, things will be progressing normally and suddenly I get the "I HAVE CANCER" bulletin flash through my brain. I guess there will be a point where that doesn't pop into my head multiple times an hour. Chele, I'm glad you're mostly calm. I am too. I am dealing with all of it well in a logical, orderly sense (shopping for post-surgery clothes, etc.), but I am pushing aside dealing with emotional aspects. I'm just not ready for all of that yet, and afraid I'll completely lose it if I try to deal with it all now. I have ~2 weeks or more until surgery, I'll slowly come to grips with it all before then. Let us know how your appt on Weds goes! Diagnosis: 10/19/2009, IDC, Grade 3 |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Nov 3, 2009 09:20 pm
chele wrote:
Yes, we WILL get through this paigelise! I hadn't even considered needing post surgery clothes lovetosail! hmmmmmmmmmmmm shopping? oh yeah. The final path report didn't come in today. My doc is still hoping to see me tomarrow, so it will be touch and go if they get the report and call me to come in. I guess I'll just have to wait and see how it goes. More waiting! my fav. |
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bugdm Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 42 |
Nov 4, 2009 12:18 am
bugdm wrote:
Oh chele, I am so sorry you didn't get the report you'd hoped for....I'm sending positive thoughts and prayers to you and your family! I think you should go for the shopping therapy!! I have an excisional biopsy scheduled for Tuesday 11/10 and the BS said that the Intracystic Papilloma that she is excising has a 25% chance of having a malignancy in it....so I guess I'm not out of woods yet....I'll check in to see how you all are doing! You ladies are amazingly strong! Wishing you peaceful dreams....~Anne |
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chele Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 53 |
Nov 4, 2009 08:41 am
chele wrote:
Thanks bugdm. I'll keep my fingers crossed your results are B9! I tried shopping after my dentist appointment yesterday (the fun never ends around here) but I just couldn't quite get into the spirit. Need new underwear. What size? The size I am now, or the size I will be after I plump up from chemo? What if I don't need chemo? Get the smaller size? Nah, just wait. Nice bras! Oh wait, I might not need one. pft. Not that shopping for bras and undies are the highlight of my life or anything, but until I know what I am facing it's like my whole life is in limbo. Maybe TODAY will be the day. I know my doc is pushing to see me today, he's just waiting on the path report too. |
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paigelise Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 63 |
Nov 4, 2009 10:03 am
paigelise wrote:
Lovetosail....glad I'm not the only one with that darn voice in my head LOL. bugdm....hope you get some good news! Chele...I just went shopping for some sports bras...you are right...hard to get in the shopping spirit. I am trying to get my house clean and organized for my lumpectomy Friday. I have post-it notes everywhere and so scared I am going to forget something. They said to pack a bag in case I stay over nite...I don't even know what to pack. This keeping busy with "pracitcal stuff" really keeps my mind off it most of the time which is a good thing. Wendy Diagnosis: 10/23/2009, IDC, <1cm, ER+/PR+ |
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